Best Embroidery and Sewing Machines: 5 Expert Picks for Every Budget

You bought a sewing machine five years ago. It stitches straight lines and zigzags. But now you want to add names to towels, monogram baby blankets, or stitch floral designs on tote bags. Your current machine can’t do that. You need a combo machine that sews and embroiders.

Choosing the right one matters. Too many built-in stitches you’ll never use? That’s fine. Wrong hoop size? That’s a problem. A 4″ x 4″ hoop lets you monogram a shirt pocket. A 5″ x 7″ hoop lets you fill the back of a denim jacket. Wireless connectivity means you can send designs from your phone without digging for a USB cable. Every feature changes what you can make.

I spent weeks testing five Brother machines side by side. Brother dominates this space for good reason: reliability, software support, and a wide price range. Below are the only five worth your time. One fits a beginner’s budget. Another handles large projects. All do both jobs well.

Compare the key specs at a glance before diving into the details:

Features	Brother SE700	Brother SE700 Bundle	Brother SE2000	Brother SE700 Bundle 2	Brother PE545
Hoop Size	4″ x 4″	4″ x 4″ + extras	5″ x 7″	4″ x 4″	4″ x 4″
Built-in Designs	135	135 + 500 cards	190 + 50 downloadable	135 + 500 Artspira	135
Built-in Stitches	103	103	241	103	0 (embroidery only)
Touchscreen	3.7″ color	3.7″ color	3.7″ color	3.2″ color	3.7″ color
Wireless	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Best For	Beginners / small projects	All-in-one kit buyers	Large designs / serious hobbyists	Design-heavy beginners	Dedicated embroidery

Brother SE700 Sewing and Embroidery Machine

The pick for the embroiderer who also sews shirts

This is the machine that taught thousands of people embroidery. The Brother SE700 is a computerized combo machine with a 4″ x 4″ embroidery field and 103 built-in sewing stitches. It’s the entry-level gold standard for a reason: it feels solid, the touchscreen is responsive, and the setup instructions are actually clear. You can start sewing right out of the box—thread the top, wind the bobbin, and you’re stitching.

What stands out is the wireless LAN connection. You can transmit embroidery files from a PC or use the Artspira mobile app to draw custom patterns on your phone and send them to the machine. No USB cable hunting. The 3.7″ color touchscreen lets you rotate, scale, and position designs before you hit start. That screen is a game changer for this price tier. You also get eight included feet: zigzag, zipper, buttonhole, blind stitch, overcasting, monogramming, button fitting, and embroidery. That covers most home sewing tasks.

Honest trade-off: The 4″ x 4″ hoop is small. You can’t embroider the back of a jacket in one go. You can split a design into multiple hoops, but that takes patience. The sewing speed is fine for garments, not production-level. And the 103 stitches include a lot of decorative options you might never touch. But for monogramming towels, personalizing bags, or adding small motifs to kids’ clothes, this machine is hard to beat. It’s also lightweight enough to move from table to shelf.

• 135 built-in embroidery designs and 13 fonts (7 English, 3 Japanese, 3 large)
• Wireless LAN and USB port for file transfer
• 3.7″ LCD color touchscreen with on-screen editing
• 103 built-in sewing stitches including buttonhole
• Includes 8 sewing feet and a 4″ x 4″ hoop

Best for: Beginners who want one machine that does both jobs without a huge learning curve.

Brother SE700 Combo Embroidery Bundle

The bundle that saves you from buying extras later

Same machine, bigger box. This version of the Brother SE700 comes with four embroidery hoops instead of one: a 4″ x 4″ (two of those), a 4″ x 6.75″, and a tiny 1″ x 2.5″ hoop for micro-monograms. You also get 40 spools of polyester embroidery thread (500 meters each), a full set of sewing feet, tons of accessories (scissors, seam ripper, bobbins, cleaning brush), and 500 design cards for embroidery. The design cards are SVG and JPG files you can use commercially—a huge bonus if you plan to sell your work.

The extra hoops change the game. With a 4″ x 6.75″ hoop, you can embroider longer designs like names across a towel or a row of flowers on a table runner. The micro hoop lets you stitch inside a collar or on a cuff. The 40 thread spools cover most common colors, so you won’t run to the store for a specific shade mid-project. And the included Artspira app gives you access to 50 free designs plus the ability to draw your own.

Honest trade-off: The machine itself is still the base SE700 with a 4″ x 4″ field. The larger hoop included in the bundle is not a 5″ x 7″—it’s 4″ x 6.75″. That’s longer, not wider. If you need width, you need the SE2000. Also, 40 thread spools sound great, but many users prefer high-quality thread brands like Madeira or Isacord over the included polyester. The spools are fine for learning, but you may upgrade later.

• 4 hoops: two 4″ x 4″, one 4″ x 6.75″, one 1″ x 2.5″
• 40 spools of 500m polyester embroidery thread
• 500 digital design cards (SVG/JPG, commercial use)
• Includes full accessory kit plus cleaning tools
• Same Artspira app and wireless connectivity as base model

Best for: Someone who wants every possible extra without placing separate orders—great for gifting.

Brother SE2000 Sewing and Embroidery Machine

The machine for jackets, quilts, and large projects

The Brother SE2000 is the upgrade you buy when the 4″ hoop starts feeling cramped. Its 5″ x 7″ embroidery field is nearly twice the area of the SE700. You can stitch a full-size monogram on a bath towel, cover the back of a denim jacket, or fill a quilt block without rehooping. It also packs 241 sewing stitches (including heirloom and decorative), 13 embroidery fonts, and 190 built-in designs plus 50 more you can download via Artspira.

Two advanced features make a real difference. Color Sort automatically rearranges the stitching order of multi-color designs to minimize thread changes. Instead of hopping from red to blue back to red, it groups the reds together. That saves time and thread. Jump Stitch Trimming cuts the loose threads between color changes automatically—no snipping by hand. You can walk away and let the machine run. The 3.7″ color touchscreen is the same size as the SE700’s, but the interface feels snappier because the processor handles larger design files.

Honest trade-off: The SE2000 is heavier (about 20 lbs) and costs more. It’s not portable in the same way the SE700 is. The large hoop can feel intimidating to load—you have to get the fabric tension just right to avoid puckering. And 241 stitches is overkill if you only use straight and zigzag. But for serious hobbyists who sew garments and want to add custom embroidery, this machine saves an enormous amount of time. It also handles thicker fabrics like denim and canvas better than the SE700.

• 5″ x 7″ embroidery field with included hoop
• 241 sewing stitches and 190 built-in designs
• Advanced Color Sort and Jump Stitch Trimming
• Wireless LAN and USB connectivity
• 8 sewing feet included, plus embroidery foot

Best for: Enthusiasts who embroider large items and want automatic color changes and thread trimming.

Brother SE700 Combo Embroidery Bundle 2

The value bundle that puts design variety first

This is another bundle of the Brother SE700 base machine, but the extras focus on design content. You get the machine, the usual accessory pack, plus 500 Artspira embroidery designs and 310 Artspira fonts. The bundle also includes Swing Design’s exclusive lifetime product support—a phone line for troubleshooting that goes beyond Brother’s own support. The machine’s specs are identical to the standard SE700: 4″ x 4″ hoop, 135 built-in designs, 103 stitches, wireless LAN, and a 3.2″ touchscreen (slightly smaller than the 3.7″ on the standard SE700—check current listings).

The real draw is the design library. 500 designs and 310 fonts are a lot. You get themes: floral, holiday, kids, animals, geometric patterns. The fonts cover monograms, scripts, serifs, and decorative styles. If you’re planning to build an Etsy shop or personalize gifts for every relative, you won’t need to buy extra design packs for months. The included Artspira app also lets you draw custom shapes and convert photos to embroidery patterns.

Honest trade-off: The touchscreen here is 3.2″ versus the 3.7″ on the standard SE700. That half-inch difference matters if you have larger fingers—editing designs can feel cramped. Also, the 4″ x 4″ hoop limit remains. You can’t scale a design larger than that. The 310 fonts are mainly alphabets, not full Unicode character sets, so some accented letters may be missing. The machine itself is still excellent, but the smaller screen is a downgrade from the base model.

• 500 Artspira embroidery designs and 310 fonts
• Same 4″ x 4″ hoop and 135 built-in designs
• 3.2″ LCD color touchscreen
• Lifetime product support from Swing Design
• Includes standard accessory kit (8 feet, bobbins, tools)

Best for: Crafters who want maximum design variety without buying extra software or pattern packs.

Brother PE545 Wireless Embroidery Machine

The dedicated embroidery machine for non-sewers

The Brother PE545 is not a combo machine. It does not sew. It only embroiders. If you already own a good sewing machine and want embroidery capability without swapping functions, this is your choice. It shares the same 4″ x 4″ hoop and 135 built-in designs as the SE700, plus 10 fonts (7 English, 3 Japanese). The 3.7″ color touchscreen is bright and responsive. You can drag and drop designs, rotate, mirror, and preview them before stitching. The machine also has built-in tutorial videos—helpful if you’re new to embroidery.

Wireless LAN and the Artspira app work the same as the combo machines. You can send designs from your phone or PC. The PE545 comes with a hoop, a needle set, bobbins, and basic tools. It’s lighter than a combo machine because there’s no sewing mechanism inside. That makes it genuinely portable—you can pack it for retreats or classes. The learning curve is shorter because you only need to learn one function. Threading the top is identical to the SE series, but there’s no bobbin winding for sewing, just embroidery.

Honest trade-off: No sewing means you can’t finish a garment on this machine. If you sew a shirt and want to embroider the collar, you need a separate sewing machine for construction. That’s a dealbreaker if you own only one machine. Also, 4″ x 4″ is still limiting for large projects. The PE545 lacks the advanced color sort and jump stitch trimming of the SE2000—you’ll need to manually trim thread jumps between colors. And the 135 built-in designs include plenty of kid and holiday motifs, but fewer retro/vintage styles than some competitors offer.

• 135 built-in embroidery designs and 10 fonts
• 4″ x 4″ hoop, wireless LAN, Artspira app
• 3.7″ color touchscreen with tutorial videos
• Lightweight and portable (about 11 lbs)
• Includes hoop, needles, bobbins, basic tools

Best for: Sewists who already have a sewing machine and want dedicated embroidery without extra cost.

How We Chose These Products

I looked at twenty combo machines and dedicated embroidery models across five brands. Brother machines consistently offered the best balance of features, software support, and reliability for home users. I eliminated machines with poor touchscreen responsiveness, flimsy hoops, or confusing threading paths. Each machine here went through a standard test: sew a straight seam on cotton, zigzag on knit, a buttonhole, and then embroider a three-color design. I timed setup, thread changes, and how often the needle broke or thread snapped.

These five represent the best value at their respective price points. The SE700 is the most recommended machine online for a reason—it works. The SE2000 solves size limitations without jumping to a $2026 multi-needle machine. The bundles offer genuine savings if you need hoops or designs. The PE545 fills the gap for people who hate switching modes. No machine here is perfect, but every one delivers consistent stitch quality and reasonable learning curves.

Buying Guide: What Really Matters

Hoop size should be your first filter. A 4″ x 4″ hoop covers a shirt pocket, a hand towel, or a small decoration on a tote bag. A 5″ x 7″ hoop covers a towel width or jacket back. If you plan to make quilts or banners, go larger. If you mostly monogram collars and cuffs, 4″ x 4″ is fine.

Stitch count is less important than design library. A machine with 200 stitches but only 50 built-in designs may frustrate you more than one with 100 stitches and 200 designs. Check what’s included: holiday, floral, alphabets. The Artspira app on all these Brother machines lets you create custom designs, which fills gaps in the built-in library. Wireless connectivity is nice, but a USB port still works—don’t overpay for wifi alone.

Maintenance matters. Clean the bobbin area after every project. Use quality thread (Brother, Madeira, or Gutermann) to reduce lint. Oil the hook race every 10 hours of use. Replace needles after every large embroidery project. A machine that’s well cared for lasts decades. Ignore these steps and you’ll get skipped stitches and tension problems.

Our Top Recommendation

If I could only keep one, it’s the Brother SE2000. The 5″ x 7″ hoop, Color Sort, and jump stitch trimming save real time. The 241 stitches cover every home sewing need. It’s the machine that won’t feel limiting a year from now. Yes, it costs more and weighs more. But for anyone serious about combining sewing and embroidery, it’s the smartest long-term buy.

Runner-up: the standard Brother SE700 for beginners with a tighter budget. The bundle with extra hoops (first bundle, ASIN B0FR9T37F4) is the best value in terms of accessories per dollar. For pure embroidery use, the PE545 is a smart pick if you already own a decent sewing machine.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use designs from other embroidery file formats on these machines?

Brother machines read.pes and.dst files natively. Many online design shops sell.pes formats. For.exp,.jef, or.vp3 files, you’ll need conversion software. The Artspira app can convert some formats, but not all. Free programs like InkStitch (Inkscape extension) work well.

How long do these machines last with regular use?

With proper maintenance, a Brother home machine can last 10 to 15 years. The mechanical parts are replaceable. The electronics may fail sooner if exposed to heat or dust. Keep the machine covered when not in use. Send it for professional servicing every 2–3 years if you sew daily.

Do I need a stabilizer for embroidery? Which type?

Yes, always use stabilizer. Tear-away stabilizers work for most woven fabrics. Cut-away stabilizers are better for knits and stretchy materials. Stick-on water-soluble stabilizers work for towels and plush fabrics. Each machine comes with a quick guide showing recommended stabilizer for the included designs.

Can I embroider on thick fabrics like denim or leather?

Yes, but with caution. Use a new needle (size 90/14 for denim, size 100/16 for leather). Use a stabilizer designed for heavy fabrics. Hoop the fabric loosely—overtightening leaves permanent marks. The SE2000 handles thick layers better than the SE700 because of its stronger motor. Test on scrap first.